Reading University Head 2009: Imperial College Boat Club were represented by three senior crews in S2.8+ and two novice crews in S4.8+ last weekend at the Reading University Head. The 4.6 km downstream head race runs from between Mapledurham and Caversham Locks. All senior crews finished with a top twenty placing while the novices had hampered performances as they battled with technical difficulties mid-race.
Imperial College I (Ole Tietz, Yosh Jerrell, Simon Hislop, Henry Goodier, Dan Cadoux-Hudson, Richard Winchester, Adam Seward & Leo Carrington) were 5th overall and 3rd in S2.8+ with a final time of 13m 27.2s. This is despite a controversial 10 second time penalty slapped on the crew for overtaking at the islands. Cox Connie Pidoux had positioned the 8+ a canvas up on the next crew before coming into the islands and was simply finishing an overtaking maneouvre. In reality IC I were the fastest crew in S2.8+ and more importantly defeated Oxford Brookes by 0.5 seconds. The eight seats in IC I are hotly contested and this strong performance is encouraging considering the absence of GB trials lightweight champion Adam Freeman-Pask.
Unphased by the technicality of the Oxford Brookes win ICBC were delighted to discover that Brookes' minibus, emblazoned with the cutting-edge motto: “Think Sport”, was parked next to the ICBC trailor. ICBC were later appalled on behalf of their rivals to see this altered with gaffer tape to “Think? Sport!”. However all was not lost and it was with much anticipation and bated breath that ICBC crews were finally introduced to the legend that is Mat Tarrant. Tarrant, the world’s second best rower, has become an icon in the rowing community and was generous enough to spare a few moments with the IC crews.
Imperial College II (James Wedlake, Alex Baileys, Dom Meyrick-Cole, Will Todd, Iain Palmer, Danny Bellion, Kieran Docherty & Andy Gordon) were 11th overall and 7th in S2.8+ with a final time of 13m 38.2s. ICBC squads were reeling after the annoucement of crews when it transpired that former Henley winner Will Todd did not make the first 8+. Todd had to make do with being carried along at seat 5 in IC II instead. This heartbreak was further compounded by the detonation of TNT with Tietz ‘N Todd split into separate crews. However Todd proved the unlikely hero of the day with an eloquent and inspirational pre-race speech: “You have to look at the guy next to you. Look into his eyes. Now I think you’re gonna see a guy who will go that inch with you. You’re gonna see a guy who will sacrifice himself for this team because he knows when it comes down to it; you’re gonna do the same for him. That's a team gentlemen. And, either we heal, now as a team, or we will die as individuals. That's rowing guys. That's all it is.” Todd was modest in his contribution to the race: “I was naturally pretty amazing. I would say having Dom in front of me showing me the road to 2012 was a huge part of my exquisite performance.” When asked for comments later on the day’s racing UCL student Dom Meyrick-Cole was contemplative: “Mention something about us all beating UL." It wasn’t looking good for the crew initially after coming in from a pre-outing paddle and deciding to stand with the boat in a tree for 10 minutes debating what they should do with it. However they raced well and with a km to go heads lifted with Viper’s trademark “The Henry Fieldman Express” call. Fieldman also found great pleasure in calling his crew to “Come forward” well before the race start sending neighbouring crews into a flurry of panic.
Imperial College III (Tom Bell, Tom Arnott, John Dick, Adam Mayall, John Davey, Mike Zammit, Matt Lunt, Gareth Brown) were 20th overall and 16th in S2.8+ with a final time of 13m 57.4s. IC III coxed by Nicola Quinn-Pyatt were the highest placed third boat of the entire head race and having all senior crews in the top twenty is further testament to the quality of Imperial’s rowers and the tough competition for seats. Meyrick-Cole of IC II was impressed with Bowman Brown’s performance on the day: “He performed like the rowing scholar that I wish I was."
The novice crews were unfortunately less successful with both crews entered in S4.8+ rather than NV category. The first novice 8+ came 69th overall and 21st in their category in a time of 14m 54.6s. Disaster unfolded within the opening minutes of the race for the second novice 8+ when the wheel from Alistair Larsson’s seat at 7 snapped yielding the slide useless. Larsson desperately attempted to keep the rhythm but there was little hope for a good result. Despite the 126th overall placing and 17m 22.8s finishing time the crew should be proud of themselves for finishing the race out and having only been beaten by 5 novice women’s crews.
The Men’s Head of the River Race looms on March 21st and a final 2km erg test is scheduled this week to aid in final crew selections. The Women’s Head of the River Race is this Saturday March 7th and Imperial has two senior crews and one novice crew entered. The top women’s crew have been training for a top 10 position this year and we wish them as well as the other crews the best of luck at the weekend.
Christina Duffy